what do you do with things in blow cases?

[mrjynx]

I dont have a huge toolbox, some things like tap & die sets or screwdriver sets come in blowcases. this ends up taking up 90% more room than the contents of the case. If I take them out the case, I still need to store the boxes in the garage, which end up taking up more space. theyre not uniform sizes so theyre awkward to store.

I dont know what to do really, one half of me says throw the cases, the other says what if I need the case one day.

What do YOU do with them?

 

[goodspeed]

Some I get rid of. My tap set is one that I keep, however. Too many little things that are hard to read if tossed in a drawer. I have a few kitchen cabinets in my garage to store such things. Not ideal, but it works.

 

[fourjeepin]

I list most of them on eBay and usually get 8-10 bucks for them.

 

[firebox40dash5]

There's a stack of all mine on the very top shelf in the back room of the shop. I don't really know why, because most of them belong to stuff I'm never getting rid of.

 

[wmartin]

Put them on a shelf, which is lot cheaper than something with drawers anyway. I admit that the metal European ones are more form fitting and thus smaller.

That's my preferred format for tools, in addition to wrench rolls.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Tools that have lots of tiny pieces (taps and dies), any specialty kits ( bearing and race kits) or precision tools (torque wrench), I leave them in the case.

I also leave them on the case if they are a tool or power tool that may need to go on the road or travel to a job site.

I also keep the case for home power tools (saw-zalls) that do not see a lot of use. It keeps the dust off of it and allows you to store extra blades and bits with the tool so that when you need it, you are not hunting around for related items.

If it's a tool or set that I have alternative or better means of storage in the tool box, I usually pitch the case (socket sets and combo wrenches).

For empty case storage or for large cases that have tools, I bought a tall 5 shelf rack at Lowes and then just stack them as necessary.
I have a lot of tools but have pared down the container collection quite a bit over the years.

Good luck.

 

[mayday0017]

I really like blown molded cases, smaller cases go in one of my toolboxes, larger cases go in the cabinet, and then there are a couple items such as my drills that their cases live up in the attic and the drills stay in the tool chest. I never throw them out mostly incase there is a need to sell the tool one day, also I find they are nice to have when you lend someone a tool from time to time, that way you are giving them a way to protect it and an easy way of konwing they got everything back to you. (normally blown cases have a spot for each thing that should be in them)

 

[woody 73]

I hear the op big time the only reason I don't throw them away is because if I find a missing space then I know that I will need to replace that part; They eat up a lot of real estate so I can understand your frustration!

 

[jeffk14]

Tools that have lots of tiny pieces (taps and dies), are specialty kits ( bearingd and race kits) or precision tools (torque wrench), I leave them in the case.

I also leave them on the case if theya re a tool or power tool that may need to go on the road or travel to a job site.

I also keep the case for home power tools (saw-zalls) that do not see a lot of use. It keeps the dust off of it and allows you to store extra blades and bits with the tool so that when you need it, you are not hunting around for related items.

If it's a tool or set that I have alternative or better means of storage in the tool box, I usually pitch the case (socket sets and combo wrenches).

For empty case storage or for large cases that have tools, I bought a tall 5 shelf rack at Lowes and then just stack them as necessary.
I have a lot of tools but have pared down the container collection quite a bit over the years.

Good luck.

^^^This^^^

And for those kits that stay in their cases, I stack the cases side-by-side, on edge, on a cabinet shelf & write the contents on the exposed end of the case with a sharpie. This allows me to quickly grab the kit I'm looking for.

 

[Skyline]

I have a large locker hanging on my toolbox. It is filled with plastic cases. There are no items in cases in my toolbox drawers. About the only items I have taken out of their plastic cases are sockets (which go on rails,) and wrenches, (which go on angled wrench racks).

When this picture was taken a couple of years ago, I had a 24" deep locker, which I've now changed to a 29" deep locker. And that is now pretty much packed. In the new locker, I have fewer shelves, and almost all the cases are stored vertically. But I think this is the best way to store these cases:

 

[woodrail]

OK, regarding blow molded cases....

I recently bought a cheap paint spray kit from Lowes. The guns actually work well for what I needed. I'm not spraying cars or anything like that!

The "kit" required me to assemble the gun with a couple of fittings and a quick disconnect. The gun also needed the "cap" threaded on. These are all solid fittings, not something you want to do each time.

Now the gun doesn't fit in the case. Not even close. Does the brillant designer even think of these things when laying out the case????

Another pet peave: cord storage in blow cases. Easy solution do exist that don't require proffesional packing skills!

 

[wmartin]

Another pet peave: cord storage in blow cases. Easy solution do exist that don't require proffesional packing skills!

That's a good point. I've got some drill cases that just have room for the original contents and very little else, and the cord is always tricky.

I can't imagine it would cost much more, if anything, to leave storage space in the unused area of a case.

 

[RedFordTruck]

I keep little cases (bolt out, screw extractors, drill bits, etc) in one of the deep drawers in my toolbox. For bigger cases and power tools in cases, I've got an old 4' tall file cabinet and stack them in that. (Got it at a yard sale. Guy wanted to get rid of it, I offered $5 and he said its yours )

 

[EvilWelder]

I keep my tap and die sets, and the SK 3/8 and 1/4 sets in them, but there is no room on my truck for tools in oversized cases.

 

[ndoran]

sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers etc the case goes in the garbage. Taps and dies the case goes in the toolbox

 

[Outlawmws]

Tools that have lots of tiny pieces (taps and dies), any specialty kits ( bearing and race kits) or precision tools (torque wrench), I leave them in the case.

I also leave them on the case if they are a tool or power tool that may need to go on the road or travel to a job site.

I also keep the case for home power tools (saw-zalls) that do not see a lot of use. It keeps the dust off of it and allows you to store extra blades and bits with the tool so that when you need it, you are not hunting around for related items.

If it's a tool or set that I have alternative or better means of storage in the tool box, I usually pitch the case (socket sets and combo wrenches).

For empty case storage or for large cases that have tools, I bought a tall 5 shelf rack at Lowes and then just stack them as necessary.
I have a lot of tools but have pared down the container collection quite a bit over the years.

Good luck.

on this^^^^

I have some that stay in the blow mold case in Garage (kitchen) cabinets, many in the bottom storage of two 3 drawer rollers I have bolted back to back (RAS stand); but I think the best solution is a large 4 or 5 drawer lateral file cabinet. which I want to go to once I get my storage shed complete. Laterals can often be had for free from closing companies. .

 

[Mr Ratchet]

I keep all of my power tools in their cases as well as any little hand tools.

I would not throw out any cases. I would either sell them, give them to someone else, or you could gut them to hold other tools or things that coould use a case. Some you might be able to heat up and remold to hold specific things.

 

[texasprd]

If I take the contents out and the case is now surplus, I look to see if it has a recycling mark - if so, it goes into the recycling bin. If not, and I have no other apparent use, trash can...

 

[92GreenYJ]

Some I get rid of. My tap set is one that I keep, however. Too many little things that are hard to read if tossed in a drawer. I have a few kitchen cabinets in my garage to store such things. Not ideal, but it works.

This. Depends on what it is really. If its a small thing like a tap and die set with tons of little parts I leave it in the blow case. They designed the case to help keep everything neat and organized so I keep it that way. Same goes for big stuff like my slide hammer set. It's too big to fit any of my tool boxes so it stays in its case on a shelf under my work bench

 

[Motor-Mechanic]

My approach is similar to others.

Sockets on rails, spanners in racks, screwdrivers packed together in a drawer. Kits with lots of pieces (tap & die set, rethreading kit, caliper rewind kit etc) all stay in their cases, and to be honest don't take up much more room than if they weren't in cases.

 

[crewchief888]

My approach is similar to others.

Sockets on rails, spanners in racks, screwdrivers packed together in a drawer. Kits with lots of pieces (tap & die set, rethreading kit, caliper rewind kit etc) all stay in their cases, and to be honest don't take up much more room than if they weren't in cases.

me too..
it all depends on the tools/case, in my service truck, seldom used and small stuff, taps, drills, extractors, bushing & seal drivers, IR temp gun all stay in their blow molded boxes.
i have several smaller cases for all my 1/4" dr stuff, HVAC thermometers, and electrical stuff, jumpers, backprobe pins,test light, and meter.
hyd test fittings, couplers, hoses all in another box.
in the garage, corded drills stay in the boxes, sawsall, 1/4"dr set in a blow molded case, some electrical eq, matco elec tester, growler, and armature cutter is in it's own metal boxes.
i keep all the rest of the blowmolded cases for repurposing,
i even found 3 more unmarked blowmolded boxes checking the dumpster in the industrial park where our shop is at.
i eventually find a use for them, or can give them to someone that has a use for em.

i hate to see something i may be able to use get sh*tcanned, i have space to store them, so it's no biggie.

 

[buening]

I have them in a cabinet on a shelf standing on their sides. Corded drills, grinders, oscillating, heat gun, paint guns, etc all lined up. Laying flat on their backs without the cases take up more space than keeping them in the blow molded cases and laying on their side. Mine are like in Skyline's picture on his top shelf.

 

[burleymike]

OK, regarding blow molded cases....

I recently bought a cheap paint spray kit from Lowes. The guns actually work well for what I needed. I'm not spraying cars or anything like that!

The "kit" required me to assemble the gun with a couple of fittings and a quick disconnect. The gun also needed the "cap" threaded on. These are all solid fittings, not something you want to do each time.

Now the gun doesn't fit in the case. Not even close. Does the brillant designer even think of these things when laying out the case????

Another pet peave: cord storage in blow cases. Easy solution do exist that don't require proffesional packing skills!

Could not agree more, I have an ac manifold set that once the hoses are attached it will not fit in the c ase. Once the warrenty is up the case is going in the trash.

 

[slob]

I remember seeing my uncle carve out the innards of his blow-molded cases to use them as storage for other items in his shop. He had a whole cabinet full of blow-molded Mac, Snap-on, and SK cases with the guts carved out of them. They were filled with miscellaneous parts he had acquired that would have otherwise been left in disorganized piles in and around his toolboxes and parts bins.

 

[beerdog]

I list most of them on eBay and usually get 8-10 bucks for them.

Really?

 

[KinzeMech]

Many of my tools could go out on a service call, any given day. I love blow molded cases for that. Sockets, ratchets, etc all from blow molded cases. Wrenches in roll pouches. Gearwrenches in plastic snap racks. When I'm done, and roll up tools, and empty slot in anything means it's time to look over the machine for something that was errantly set down.
I hate it when I have a lifetime warranty toolset, and the hinge breaks on the blow molded case. I don't expect a plastic case to be covered by a lifetime warranty, but I do wish at least I could have the option to purchase a replacement for a fair price.

 

[otis66]

I have a large locker hanging on my toolbox. It is filled with plastic cases. There are no items in cases in my toolbox drawers. About the only items I have taken out of their plastic cases are sockets (which go on rails,) and wrenches, (which go on angled wrench racks).

When this picture was taken a couple of years ago, I had a 24" deep locker, which I've now changed to a 29" deep locker. And that is now pretty much packed. In the new locker, I have fewer shelves, and almost all the cases are stored vertically. But I think this is the best way to store these cases:

This is a nice set up. I do the samething only my locker is not attached to my tool box. I also have two leagle size file cabinets I use for bulky things.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

After i get them home and remove the tools to a real tool box, i fill the plastic ones with rocks and zip tie them shut. I then put them in the back of my pickup and in a few days they disappear.

Gort.

 

[themiller]

I have 12" shelves around my workbench, a few of them mounted to the wall, 8-12 ft long in an L shape. Works GREAT!

 

[TSirotock]

After i get them home and remove the tools to a real tool box, i fill the plastic ones with rocks and zip tie them shut. I then put them in the back of my pickup and in a few days they disappear.

Gort.

This will become the fate of many such useless plastic cases. Most are glorified boxes to get from store to you, I only keep them if they are designed to organize and store a tool(s). Now, I look at my vintage metal tool cases that actually function as holders of the tool, its cord, its accessories, etc. and see how much modern progress has abandoned the wisdom of the past.

 

[mdbeck1]

The ones that hold tap & dies sets stay as a set. If it holds something I don't use often it stays as a set. Especially if it has small pieces...

Socket sets, wrenches and the like I remove and put in my box with the holders for that type.

Normally I put the unused cases in out-of-the-way places (the shelf above the compressor, the back corner of the top shelf of the cabinet, ...). You never know when you may need a box to hold a "special" tool or part.

I've also repurposed some of the boxes. My tie down straps for the trailer are wrapped tightly and placed in an old drill case.

 

[mrjynx]

Hmm I got a 40" box so things like tap die set take up quarter a drawer. think Ill try get a hang on for each side, a half size locker for one & drawers for the other. And put the little sets in there.
Some good points were raised will help me think about things.
Small hand tools will definitely be coming out like screw drivers, hammers specialist pliers.

i fill the plastic ones with rocks and zip tie them shut. I then put them in the back of my pickup and in a few days they disappear.

you a real life troll.

 

[buening]

The "kit" required me to assemble the gun with a couple of fittings and a quick disconnect. The gun also needed the "cap" threaded on. These are all solid fittings, not something you want to do each time.

Now the gun doesn't fit in the case. Not even close. Does the brillant designer even think of these things when laying out the case????

I think a possible solution to your problem is below. If there is enough room (assuming the fitting wouldn't stick out the end of the case), just carve out a section where the fitting ends up being.

I remember seeing my uncle carve out the innards of his blow-molded cases to use them as storage for other items in his shop.

 

[BWS]

I'd say realistically,about 10-20% get used as designed.The rest get tossed somewhere in or around shop(and there's a metric chit-ton of'm).

But agree with post'er above about hackin out the innards and using them for other parts,assembly's,fixtures.But gotta say,metal bxs boughtt at flea mkts for a buck or two serve this purpose even better.

 

[jjjrmx5]

I hate it when I have a lifetime warranty toolset, and the hinge breaks on the blow molded case. I don't expect a plastic case to be covered by a lifetime warranty, but I do wish at least I could have the option to purchase a replacement for a fair price.

That's an easy fix and I do it all the time.

Pop into any boat shop or anywhere they sell nylon webbing straps by the foot. Buy a foot, cut down to length and drill two holes into each side of teh case , x cut the strap (our use a hollow punch or drill) and using a washer in each pop-rivet the strap in place of the hinge.

If too cheap for nylon strapping buy a few old black leather belts at the local thrift store or garage sale and do the same. All you're looking for is black, thin , wide and flexible.

Now you have your living hinge back.

I usually do both sides.

For the front I do the same but add pop riveted lengths of Velcro to the lid and bottom and now the case can be closed and secured.

No sense in tossing it , especially when you've actually improved the design and made it live on much longer.

BTDT x100.



As for hollowing out the innards...now you have a reason to go buy an air saw. They cut that **** like buttah. LOLOL.

 

[KinzeMech]

I've done something similar to that on several cases.

Worse yet is when the latching clasps tear off. I've got a couple cases that have done that, so now their latch is a piece of pvc pipe with a slit cut in it, which snaps over the handle to hold it closed. It's not an elegant solution, but it's effective (if you don't lose the specially cut piece of pvc pipe(don't laugh...has happened)).

 

[rharman]

That's a good point. I've got some drill cases that just have room for the original contents and very little else, and the cord is always tricky.

I can't imagine it would cost much more, if anything, to leave storage space in the unused area of a case.

I saw a trick once where they drilled a hole in the inner shell of the case and used the gap between the inner & outer shells to stash the cord.

I've just taken to using the velcro straps and coiling the cord tight and usually I can get it back pretty close to original.

 

[tkonbass]

I remember seeing my uncle carve out the innards of his blow-molded cases to use them as storage for other items in his shop. He had a whole cabinet full of blow-molded Mac, Snap-on, and SK cases with the guts carved out of them. They were filled with miscellaneous parts he had acquired that would have otherwise been left in disorganized piles in and around his toolboxes and parts bins.

I've done this a few times with mixed results. This is one of the better ones. It was small case that held a set of Sunex universal impact sockets. When I bought my mini code reader it did not include a case so I modded this one. Nice and compact to fit under my trucks rear seat. I just cut out the molded socket tray and lined the bottom and top with multiple layers of drawer liner scraps.

 

[sberry]

I toss power tool cases, as the other stuff a lot of it isnt daily driven, nice to keep it in sets. Also mark with sharpie. Putting common hand tools in any set would last all of 30 seconds. Got one other shelf with half a dozen items similar. Often toss in box there with related accys.